Gradually their number so increased, that
in the fifteenth century the title of prothonotary had come
to be merely an honorary dignity, conferred as a matter of
course on doctors of theology of noble family, or otherwise
of note. In the role of Francis I.'s household for 1522, we
find but one prothonotary mentioned, but in that for 1529
there are twelve. More than one of them might have been
called _un letrado que no tenia muchas letras_, as Brantome
wrote of Thomas de Lescun, Prothonotary of Foix and
afterwards Marshal of France. "In those days," adds the
author of _Les Grands Capitaines Francais_, "it was usual
for prothonotaries and even for those of good family not to
have much learning, but to enjoy themselves, hunt, make love
and seduce the wives of the poor gentlemen who were gone to
the wars."--_OEuvres completes de Brantome_, 8vo edit., vol.
ii. p. 144.--L. and Ed.
"You see, ladies, how the worthy dame, whilst thinking to do a fine deed
of justice, made known to strange princes a matter of which the servants
of the house had never heard."
"I think I know," said Parlamente, "in whose house it was, and who the
prothonotary is; for he has governed many a lady's house, and when he
cannot win the mistress's favour he never fails to have that of one of
the maids.
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